Launch Control and Flat Foot Shifting for USDM Mk7 GTI

The COBB Custom Feature set is expanding for VW! We are excited to announce the immediate availability of Launch Control, Burnout Mode, and Flat Foot Shifting for supported USDM Mk7 GTIs! The updates below are now available for Mk7 GTI Accessport users via a free firmware update. CLICK HERE for instructions on updating your Accessport firmware with Accessport Manager. Once the firmware has been updated to 1.7.3.0-15475 or newer, flashing a qualifying Off The Shelf Map will enable the features below. The COBB Volkswagen team has also added an extensive list of monitors and tables to the Accessport and Accesstuner Pro HL software that will aid your Protuner in dialing in your custom tune.

The video above will give you a good understanding of how these COBB Custom Features work in-car as the workflow for using them is largely the same as it is with the Mk6 GTI. The only differences noticeable to the end-user are replacing the cruise control “decel” button with the cruise control “set” button to initiate Burnout Mode and the addition of a Launch Control Rev Limit Slot #7 which disables the feature completely. This comes in handy when having a car custom-tuned on a non-linked AWD or 2WD dynamometer.

Launch Control

Launch Control RPM is now adjustable by the user through the Accessport! Both Manual and DSG cars are able to select one of 6 Launch Control Rev Limit Slots which will have pre-determined RPM limits. You may need to experiment with different slots based on your vehicle configuration. Factors such as tires, suspension, and how much torque the car makes all come into play when trying to get off the line effectively.

This is the Launch Control Rev Limits table that is used in all v101 COBB Off The Shelf Maps. As you can see, RPM mainly differs between 0 and 4 mph. Beyond that, the slots are identical through 30mph at which point the base calibration’s rev limiter takes over.

Burnout Mode

This sub-feature of Launch Control allows users to easily and safely warm up tires at the track. With conditions met, Burnout Mode allows the car to rev beyond the Launch Control Rev Limiter while the non-driven wheels remain below the Wheel Speed Max. For v101 Off The Shelf Maps, this limit is set to 5000 RPM. If you are using a custom tune, this RPM can be modified in Accesstuner HL by your Protuner.

Flat Foot Shifting

Flat Foot Shifting, also referred to as “No Lift Shift”, enables drivers of manual transmission cars to keep the accelerator pedal 100% planted during shifts when every MPH or tenth of a second is important. This feature helps to minimize shift times and keeps boost from falling off as much between gears. After the appropriate Flat Foot Shift RPM Limit has been dialed in, the ECU will help to hold RPMs at that level when the clutch is depressed.

Off The Shelf Maps

COBB OTS Maps v101 and newer will have both Launch Control and Flat Foot Shifting enabled by default.

The following COBB Off The Shelf Maps are found in Accessport firmware:

Anti-Theft Mode v101.ptm

Stage0 v101.ptm

Stage1 91 v101.ptm

Stage1 93 v101.ptm

Stage1+ 91 v101.ptm

Stage1+ 93 v101.ptm

Stage2 91 v101.ptm

Stage2 93 v101.ptm

Stage3 91 v101.ptm

Stage3 93 v101.ptm

Valet Mode v101.ptm

The v101 StageIS38 Off The Shelf Maps listed below offer Launch Control and Flat Foot Shifting:

Stage IS38 91 v101.ptm

Stage IS38 93 v101.ptm

They are not included in firmware but can be downloaded from the COBB website (free of charge) after configuring your vehicle. The Map Notes Page contains all information relating to COBB Off The Shelf Maps.

Additional Firmware Updates

In addition to the new features, our VW Engineers have also added a host of new monitors for the Mk7 GTI. The monitors below are either new or have been updated to help end users and Protuners dial in a custom tune.

New Mk7 GTI Monitors:

Brake Switch

Clutch Switch

COBB Spark Reduction

Cylinder 1 EOI Limit

Cylinder 1 Injector End Angle Primary Pulse

Cylinder 1 Injector End Angle Secondary Pulse

Cylinder 1 SOI Primary Pulse

Cylinder 1 SOI Secondary Pulse

Cylinder 2 EOI Limit

Cylinder 2 Injector End Angle Primary Pulse

Cylinder 2 Injector End Angle Secondary Pulse

Cylinder 2 SOI Primary Pulse

Cylinder 2 SOI Secondary Pulse

Cylinder 3 EOI Limit

Cylinder 3 Injector End Angle Primary Pulse

Cylinder 3 Injector End Angle Secondary Pulse

Cylinder 3 SOI Primary Pulse

Cylinder 3 SOI Secondary Pulse

Cylinder 4 EOI Limit

Cylinder 4 Injector End Angle Primary Pulse

Cylinder 4 Injector End Angle Secondary Pulse

Cylinder 4 SOI Primary Pulse

Cylinder 4 SOI Secondary Pulse

Decel PU Active

Effective Volume Air Mass Set Point

Effective Volume Offset

Effective Volume Slope

Exhaust Cam Position

Factory TC Active

FFS Rev Limit

FFS State

Fuel Mass Delivered to Rail

Fuel Pressure Set Point Index

HPFP Control Integral

HPFP Control Proportional

HPFP Fuel Temperature

Impulse Combustion Active

Impulse Combustion Active Decel PU

Impulse Combustion Active Gear Shift

Impulse Combustion Active Time 1

Impulse Combustion Active Time 2

Impulse Combustion Post Activation Timer

Impulse Combustion Temp Flag

Injection Mode Index

Injection Pressure Mode Index

Injection Time Cylinder 1 Primary Pulse

Injection Time Cylinder 1 Secondary Pulse

Injection Time Cylinder 2 Primary Pulse

Injection Time Cylinder 2 Secondary Pulse

Injection Time Cylinder 3 Primary Pulse

Injection Time Cylinder 3 Secondary Pulse

Injection Time Cylinder 4 Primary Pulse

Injection Time Cylinder 4 Secondary Pulse

Injection Time Primary Pulse Average

Injection Time Secondary Pulse Average

Injection Time Window Exceeded

Intake Cam Position

Knock Retard Average

Knock Retard Average Adapted

Knock Window State

LC Active

LC Active Time

LC Activation Delay Time

LC Burnout Switch

LC Engine Load Target

LC ETC Target

LC Rev Limit

LC State

Muffler Temperature

Ref Exhaust Cam Position renamed from Exhaust Cam Position

Ref Exhaust Cam Position Set Point renamed from Exhaust Cam Position Set Point

Ref Intake Cam Position renamed from Intake Cam Position

Ref Intake Cam Position Set Point renamed from Intake Cam Position Set Point

I tried doing the launch control but the car is not holding the rpms (traction control off, pressed and depressed clutch)
Do I have to go to the AP and press the rpm slot before attempting the launch control?

That is odd. Did you flash one of the v101 map files to the car’s ECU after updating firmware? There are also some conditions that have to be met such as oil and water reaching operating temperature. It may take 5-10 minutes of driving to get the car warmed up.

The V3 on the GTi does allow for switching Launch Control and Flat Foot Shifting rpms on the Accesspot in the “tune/adjustments” menu. Those can also be adjusted in greater detail when a custom tune is created. There are up to 7 slots. As for map slot switching on the fly, similar to the Ford platform. That is something that is possible in the future, but no kind of ETA on when or if. It will require a significant amount of custom engineering but it’s certainly something we are interested in looking into for the future. -Adam@COBB